Balfour senior dies after swimming accident

An 18-year-old high school senior, who was described as a true friend by his peers and teachers at Balfour Education Center, died Saturday after a swimming accident at Lake Summit on Friday evening.

By CAITLIN BYRDTimes-News Staff Writer

An 18-year-old high school senior, described as a true friend by his peers and teachers at Balfour Education Center, died Saturday after a swimming accident at Lake Summit on Friday evening.Joseph Gage Thompson was fishing and swimming with friends at the lake near an old campsite after 7 p.m. Friday when he began to struggle in the water, according to Chief Deputy Frank Stout with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.Reading from witness statements, Stout said Thompson panicked about two-thirds of the way across the lake and began to go under. A friend tried to help, but was unsuccessful.“He lost consciousness, and a resident did two dives and found him after he went underwater. They brought him up to the banks, and officers and bystanders did CPR until emergency services personnel could get there,” Stout said.Green River Fire and Rescue, Henderson County EMS and the Sheriff’s Office responded. Thompson was taken to Pardee Hospital, where he died Saturday.“There doesn’t appear to be any foul play involved. It’s just a very tragic accident,” Stout said.Last year, a senior at North Henderson High died in a drowning accident at Lake Summit. Stout said Thompson was not swimming in the same part of the lake where that student was found.At Balfour Education Center, where Thompson was very involved with the art academy, teachers were available Monday to help students who needed counseling or support.“Gage was first and foremost a loyal friend to many students here at Balfour that would place the needs of his friends above his own needs,” said Principal Kent Parent. “His death is tragic. We, the staff and students at Balfour, are choosing to celebrate how he affected us with his life. He will always be remembered as a true friend.”Though the school is in the middle of end-of-year testing, Parent said a group of students in the art academy are working on a way to remember their friend, who would have graduated Friday.“Our students have been very strong. They took their art exam this morning, and they’ll be testing every morning this week. We are releasing those students in the afternoon to work on this art project. They are currently brainstorming ideas,” Parent said.Reach Byrd at caitlin.byrd@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7881.